Imagine Dragons 

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• Imagine Dragons

  The story of Imagine Dragons and their rise in popularity is an inspiring one. They're a band that put out a 4.5 star album (Night Visions) and toured religiously until it finally caught on. They played small clubs and were on the bottom of lineup posters just three years ago. Now they're one of the biggest bands around, headlining festivals and performing in arenas every night.

  I was lucky enough to see Imagine Dragons when they were just getting going. I saw them play The Metro in Chicago (one of my favorite venues) in what ended up being one of the best shows of 2013. I also love Night Visions. It would have been the best album of 2012, if not for Mumford and Sons Babel being released that same month.

  So when Imagine Dragons announced their summer tour, I was excited to see a Tampa stop included. I was not happy however, to see the show was at the 18,000 capacity Amalie Arena. This was quite the change from their first show in Tampa at the Ritz Theater with a capacity of 1,100.

  I also wasn't as excited as expected for the show because the tour is in support of the groups much anticipated second album - Smoke and Mirrors. The record was put out in February of this year, and I was extremely disappointed. In my opinion, the Las Vegas rockers abandoned their alternative roots and made a poppy record that would just get radio play.

  That record was on full display for their Friday night Tampa show. Imagine Dragons performed 12 songs from Smoke & Mirrors, essentially playing the album in full. Now I know this was the 'Smoke & Mirrors Tour,' but how about a nod to the album and the fans that got you to where you are today?

  Instead, the guys just gave minimal nods to Night Visions. They played the four most popular songs from it ('It's Time,' 'Radioactive,' 'Demons,' and 'On Top of the World'). They also played one acoustic verse each from 'Nothing Left to Say' and 'Bleeding Out.' It was nothing close to the attention that album deserves and fans were hoping for. I would have loved to have heard just one of the following: 'Hear Me,' 'Amsterdam,' 'Nothing Left to Say,' 'Round and Round,' or 'Selene.'

  Instead, I was listening to a poppy album in a half empty arena. That's right, sales were weak for this Friday night show in the music friendly community of Tampa. The floor was only at about half capacity. Maybe the $90 price point for a floor ticket was one reason, but it's never easy to get into the show when the band is playing at a venue much too large for their popularity.

  Another negative of the night was the formation and style that the band chose to lay out. Lead singer Dan Reynolds played 80% of the show from an extended part of the stage that ran down the middle of the floor. At times, it seemed like a solo show for him, rather than a full band experience. I couldn't even tell you any highlights from the other contributing members of Imagine Dragons.

  Lastly, one of my favorite things from the first three years of touring for ID, was their unique and constant use of rhythmic drums. They used to have drums of all sounds and sizes scattered across the stage. Each member would go to their drum station constantly throughout the set, and the beats and rhythms they came up with were addicting to watch. With the exception of 'Radioactive,' that fun portion of the show has completely disappeared from their live set.

  Overall, this show was a disappointment. There was a great band that put out a superb debut back in 2003 entitled 'Songs about Jane.' That band (Maroon 5) went on to release 4 more albums, with each being worse than the album before it. At the same time though, their radio play and recognition in the top 40 community has increased with each release. I think Imagine Dragons might be the next Maroon 5.

  CONCERT RATING: 2 Stars

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  par mike-leone-1

• I’ve been listening to the group since so long, and the first song I heard from them was Radioactive, which everyone knows I’m sure of it. The concert run an hour late, but nobody was complaining and they started with I don’t know why, which immediately put everybody in the mood. There was many generations mixed, and all the adults around me didn’t really knew imagine dragons, weren’t really sure if they were going to like it, and were really surprised to see they were just loving the concert. The group was playing and singing at the perfection, all of them was contributing to the making of each songs, and there was such a good atmosphere it was really incredible. Dan Reynolds (the lead singer) talked really often to the crowd during the show and also took a moment to raise awareness about LGBT youth, which was a really touching moment. Their energy, their complicity with each other, everything was perfect, and the last song, radioactive, there so well known hit, just ended the concert with a great energy. I loved it, probably one of the best concert I’ve ever been. Imagine dragons is not like many artists who just come on stage, say hi, sing ( either in playback, or wrong), don’t interact with the crowd, and get out of stage without a thank you. Imagine dragons talked to us so many times it was really pleasant, I’ve never seen a group or an artist take the time to say something relevant, they even went into the crowd during the show, to the back of the concert hall so people in the back could see them at least for 3 songs. It was perfect, and I sure will go to their next concert, because seeing Imagine dragons in live, is just magic and unforgettable.

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  par delphinemarcais

• Listening to Las Vegas native band Imagine Dragons through headphones is one great experience, but seeing them perform their upbeat guitar and drum tunes in person, paired with the resonating vocals of Dan Reynolds, truly makes for a life-changing event.

  The band has now performed all over the world due to their understandable success, and I saw them play at Lollapalooza in Brazil where they dressed in all black and gave the screaming crowd something they wouldn’t ever forget. The mellifluous band has a sort of chill, indie, rock and roll style, but they are far from an independent band – they embarked on a world tour after major success with their single “Radioactive” and have received lots of radio play for their cool guitar strums and cheerful yet relaxing music style.

  Seeing the band live really makes you want to get off your feet, and the lively lyrics will truly dare you to try and stand still in one place, as the music urges you to let go and give in to the feeling of the music flowing through your whole body as your hear it the amazing instrumentals and sounds.

  At Lollapalooza, the band didn’t require any props besides a simple few lights and their name in the background on a screen. All they need are their instruments, and Dan’s soulful voice.

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  Par Anonymous

• This was the first concert that we took our two children to (ages 10 and 12) and they had a great time! The venue (Shoreline Amphitheater) was fantastic and we enjoyed our view from the lawn.

  The opening bands were engaging and certainly warmed up the crowd! When Imagine Dragons appeared, our kids were really excited and ready for a "full concert experience"! Imagine Dragons did not disappoint! They played all the popular songs as well as some older ones. They even changed stages halfway through the concert which was a great bonus! The band definitely knew how to keep the crowd engaged from asking us to sing along to "Yesterday" and even releasing large balloons for the crowd to bat around throughout the second half of the concert.

  Their final few songs, which included Radioactive, were absolutely brilliant! They had so much energy at the end it was infectious! Their extended drumming section in Radioactive was awesome! They ended with two songs instead of a typical walk off and then come back for an encore. Their final song, Believer, was a rocking anthem that had us all walking away singing at the end of the concert. Overall, it was a great first concert for my kids and a great reminder of why live music matters so much!

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  par jessievaz

• I haven't been on the Imagine Dragons bandwagon as long as some have. I picked them up after Night Visions came out and they quickly became an act I needed to see. Their catchy blend of pop and rock elements was always going to be a winner live. And it was.

  I saw them play to a sold-out Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne. Their support act were British India, a local band who had achieved reasonable levels of success on the national stage. They were solid and a good lead-in to the main act.

  They opened with Shots and built an amazing set list from there. They played all of their hits, debuted a couple of new songs they haven't done before and threw in a couple of covers (Forever Young and Beds Are Burning) to fill out their performance. Dan Reynolds is an amazing vocalist and his backing instrumentalists (Sermon, McKee and Platzman) complemented his eccentric and energetic performance style.

  The only letdown of the night was the atmosphere. I'm unsure if it was the venue's acoustics or the audience but it wasn't as loud or electric as the gigs I've been to before.

  Overall I'd give the show a 9/10 and that will only improve with another album or two of quality content. I'd definitely go see them again.

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  par andrew-norman-2

• The concert was really great. Every members of the band had SO much energy that they shared with the public. Dan Reynolds made a speech on the LGBT youth at some point during the concert and that was great, he spoke with his heart and the public gave this love back. The light were blowing our minds and they were at their best during the whole concert.

  At some point, there only were instumentals and the singer (Dan Reynolds) lied down on the ground and started doing yoga, which was pretty funny.

  In the middle of the concert, they went on the second stage (smaller and in the middle of the room) so everyone could see them.

  They ended the concert with the first song we have (my sisters and I) discovered them with six years ago.

  I truly encourage people to go to their concert because they are one of the most fantastic band of the 21th century.

  PS: if I can share an advise, if you really want to bring a goodie home, buy it BEFORE the concert. At the end, there are a lot of people and, I guess, less choice (we bought it before the concert so we had all the pleasure and time to choose what we wanted)

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  par camillefrappier

• On October 1st I went to Imagine Dragons concert for the first time. It was a breathtaking performance. Dan’s beautiful and emotional speech is still in my mind, especially the part about things that don’t mean nothing and are given meaning like class, color, race. Dan’s voice is really powerful and very unique that makes you feel goosebumps. His personality is one of the best. He is an honest and a nice person which he expresses through his music, the way he talks and acts, the way he stays positive and inspires us to rise up, believe that the lost things will come back to us, be thankful to yesterdays, sometimes start over and do whatever it takes to make it up to our loved ones and become stronger, no matter how much pain we go through. Imagine Dragons does a great job in creating meaningful, inspirational and emotional music which is very rare in our day and age. My friends and I laughed, cried, danced, sang and screamed so much that we couldn’t talk after it. The feelings are unforgettable. It was an experience worth repeating a thousand times. Thank you Imagine Dragons.

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  par elen.hv

• really good live production, dan's voice is very beautiful live and wing's guitar solos were also impressive. the drummer did a very nice piece but unfortunately we didn't hear from the bassist.

  we sat in block 102 of the o2 arena which was on the left of the stage. we had a good view but there were a lot of couples around us who were not very enthusiastic about the concert which made the concert slightly sedate to enjoy. if you want to really get into the music I recommend standing but if you want to go with a friend or something to just listen and watch nicely then sit.

  also I wasn't really massively impressed with the track list. they didn't sing smoke and mirrors or bleeding out, which we were disappointed by. the encore song was "the fall" which wasn't the energetic fun song the audience was expecting. radioactive and demons were both excellent but I think they wanted to promote songs from the new album.

  still would recommend as you can watch nicely or really get into the music.

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  par yasmeenhanif

• Well-imagined dragons: an excellent performance from an extremely enthusiastic and (at times almost too) humble band, clearly enjoying every minute of their time on stage.

  The support act, Sunset Sons, kicked things off excellently with some high-energy, high-tempo tracks to a very receptive crowd, setting the tone for the main event.

  forty minutes or so later, the Dragons burst on to the stage to a huge ovation, got straight into it and kept the pace up the whole way through, only really stopping from time to time to thank the fans, be a bit grateful and have a bit of a joke from time to time.

  I'm not sure if I had lower expectations than was fair of this band, who I've only seen once previously at Glastonbury '14 (which mainly involved them all being covered in mud), but for me they massively over-delivered on staging, performance and energy to provide a fantastic night, culminating in the inevitable, uh, golden shower of glittery leaves from above. Excellent stuff.

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  par mrpjones

• Sound was pretty horrible, waaaay too loud, even with earplugs, which I almost never need to wear.

  Many awkward choices of covers with awkward musical production choices. Feels like as they only have about 4 hits, they just spent the entire first hour of the concert stalling for time, giving every band member a chance for a below-average, horribly sounding solo.

  The guitarist's overuse of harmonizer ( /-1 octave) only made his solo even more childish and simply sounded awful. Felt like he was trying to imitate Rage Against the Machine's creative guitar playing, although stealing techniques doesn't make it your own.

  I believe that this is what happens when a young band gain a lot of popularity in relatively short time, experience is noticeably lacking here.

  Visuals and lighting were good and with high quality though.

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  Par Anonymous